
Another option is driving 7 hours to New Orleans and then continuing on to Destin. The most direct route to Destin is 11 hours from Dallas. Both would be good stops for a week long road trip from Texas. Gulf Shores is only two hours from Destin and New Orleans is only four hours away. There are several places to stop both coming and going. Highly recommend using them as your event assistants in Gulf Shores!ĬLICK HERE TO BOOK YOUR STAY AT TURQUOISE PLACE Destin, Florida Road Tripĭestin makes the perfect road trip destination from Dallas. They do it all! Groceries, dinner reservations, special events, consider them your friend on call in Gulf Shores and Orange Beach. There’s also a concierge service in Gulf Shores called The Beach Moms. (Click here to read our Turquoise Place review). They have spacious apartments with ocean views, a lazy river, indoor and outdoor swimming pools, and a game room. Where to stay: Find a Gulf Shores vacation rental or book a room at Turquoise Place Resort and stay right on the beach. In Jackson you can visit the Mississippi Civil Rights Museum, the Mississippi Petrified Forest, or the Mississippi State Capitol and Old Capitol Museum. It’s about 5 hours from Dallas, making it the perfect pit stop. If that’s too long for a day drive, consider making a stop in Jackson, Mississippi. This is one of the long road trips from Dallas at 10 hours and 13 minutes. If you want to explore beyond Gulf Shores, don’t miss these other Alabama road trips! Coastal Kayak Excursions run a dolphin watching sunset tour which is perfect for families. If you’re planning a weekend trip from Dallas to Gulf Shores, a dolphin kayaking tour has to be on your itinerary. Stretch your legs and explore the Texas State Capitol Building, and grab a bite at one of the local BBQ joints, like Franklin BBQ or Stubb’s Bar-B-Q. The easiest trip to San Antonio involves driving directly without stops, but if you have the time, Austin is a great lunch stop. It is a great option if you are short on time or need an easy staycation idea. San Antonio, Texasĭallas to San Antonio is only a four-hour drive, making it one of the more manageable Texas road trips from Dallas. If you prefer the comforts of home, the Lajitas Golf Resort is for you. Where to stay: Inside the park, try and book a room at Chisos Mountain Lodge. Since it’s such a long drive, we recommend bringing plenty of kid-friendly snacks. Bush childhood home or the I-20 Wildlife Preserve.

In Midland, be sure to check out the George W. In Odessa, don’t miss the Stonehenge Replica on the campus of UT Permian Basin. It’s approximately 7.5 hours of driving time from Dallas, but you can stop in Midland or Odessa for the night if you need to. Be sure to bring a map as cell service can be an issue.ĭriving from Dallas to Big Bend National Park offers a couple of opportunities for pit stops. Other fun things to do at Big Bend National Park include hiking the Santa Elena Canyon along the river, visiting the Fossil Discovery Exhibit, or even taking a canoe trip along the Rio Grande.īig Bend National Park is quite a bit away from services, so plan on bringing plenty of water, get gas ahead of time, and book your camping reservation in advance. This is handy if you are exploring Big Bend National Park with toddlers or have anyone with mobility issues in your group. You can access Sotol Vista Overlook, Tuff Canyon Overlook, and Mule Ears Viewpoint by car. There are plenty of hiking trails within the park, however, you don’t need to use them to see some of the best views. Both the Rio Grande Village Nature Trail and Hot Springs Canyon Trail offer good views. It has the least amount of light pollution compared to the other national parks in the lower 48 states.įamilies can enjoy the night sky on their own or head to one of the trails. The park is an International Dark Sky Park, which means it’s perfect for stargazing. Road Trips in Texas Big Bend National Park, Texasīig Bend National Park covers over 1252 square miles, allowing space for everyone and making it one of the best weekend getaways in Texas. With road trips and microadventures becoming the new norm, it’s good to know there are so many amazing places to explore in your own backyard. When planning drivable vacations from Dallas, you’ll find you can easily reach several surrounding states within a one-day drive or less. 12 Awesome Ideas for a Driving Vacation from Dallasġ2 Awesome Ideas for a Driving Vacation from Dallas.
